The latest traffic, travel, weather, crime and breaking news updates from The Chronicle, covering Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland and Durham for Friday, 23 May 2014

The Chronicle's live breaking news blog brings you regular updates, pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Newcastle and North East traffic, travel, weather, crime and council news for Friday, 23 May 2014.

You can contribute to the live blog by posting your comment below, and you can also tweet us @EveningChron to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

Our Newcastle breaking news live blog begins at 06:30am every weekday and is updated throughout the day until 10.00pm.

6:30

Bună dimineaţa! Dobro utro! Or simply good morning. Welcome to The Chronicle liveblog for Friday May 23 2014.

06.39

Michael Brown

CRIME: It's seemingly been a quiet night for the region's emergency services - though in fairness, 99 days out of 100, it always seems that way at this time of the morning.

Suffice to say I've had a call around the region's police and fire services and it's all quiet on the North Eastern front.

Of course if you know differently, then do let us know - tweet us @EveningChron, email ec.news@ncjmedia,co.uk or call 0191 201 6446.

06.48

Michael Brown

TRAFFIC: I'm hearing reports of people on the road on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M), between junction 61 at Bowburn and junction 62 at Carrville.

Traffic is said to be coping well.

Elsewhere traffic moving well on the A167 Tyne Bridge between Gateshead and Newcastle, and at the Cowgate Roundabout.

06.55

Michael Brown

CHRONICLE LIFE: Above the din of the cleaner's hoover as she tidies up the sweet wrappers and biscuit crumbs from around the business desk here at Chronicle Towers I can hear she's singing to herself.

No idea what she's singing - suggestions to @EveningChron - but it's nice to see someone still so joyful after a week at work.

07.05

Michael Brown

POLITICS: Of course the big story this morning is that the UK Independence Party has made major inroads into the North East vote, even if they don't yet necessarily have much to show for it.

Ben Birchall/PA Wire

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage

Sunderland City Council last night saw 21 Labour councillors elected, with three Conservatives and an Independent - but despite winning no seats UKIP took almost a quarter of the vote.

My colleague Rachel Wearmouth spoke to Washington MP Sharon Hodgson who said: "If Labour doesn't do something about UKIP the party will be biting at Labour's heels come the general election."

Meanwhile in South Tyneside there was little change as Labour remained on 49 seats, gaining one from a UKIP defector and losing one to an Independent.

TRAFFIC: In relation to that traffic update at 06.48 - the people have been cleared from the northbound A1(M) between Bowburn and Carrville.

07.23

Michael Brown

POLITICS: So far this morning there's three of us here in the Chronicle offices. One person “didn't even have it in their head to vote.” Another “just couldn't be bothered when they got home last night.” And I voted.

Considering I've put on a little weight recently, even among our tiny unscientific microcosm it seems that only 35% of the people turned out for the elections.

07.30

Michael Brown

TODAY'S PAPER: Here's The Chronicle's front page - Toon star Paul Dummett has been sent chilling death threats by Uruguay fans who blame his tackle on Luis Suarez for their star player potentially missing the World Cup.

The Welsh under 21 international defender has been sent a series of threatening messages on social media after it emerged the Liverpool forward is in a battle for fitness to appear at this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Uruguay fans believe Dummett’s challenge on Suarez in the final game of the season is the cause of the surgery he has undergone which threatens his place at the World Cup.

And the Toon youngster was yesterday on the receiving end of hundreds of abusive messages on Twitter with one telling him “a bullet in the head” would be waiting should he ever visit the South American nation and another simply saying: “We kill you.”

But Dummett has insisted the challenge was an accident and spoken of his hope that Suarez will make the tournament.

Plans to install the larger style rubbish dumpsters in 144 back lanes in Heaton, Jesmond, Sandyford and the Ouseburn have so far been met with resistance by many residents who worry that they will spoil the look of their suburban streets.

Following an official petition started by teacher Stephanie Hood in Heaton, the Chronicle’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages about the new style bins Newcastle City Council hope to roll out by 2015.

NEWS: A Whitley Bay dad has received a top award for his fundraising efforts to help the hospital unit that saved his son's life.

Ivan Hollingsworth skied 10km in a mankini to raise money for the Children's Heart Unit Fund

Ivan Hollingsworth was inspired to payback the hospital that saved his son’s life by completing a series of stunts to raise money for Newcastle Freeman Hospital’s Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

Today the 38-year-old will receive a new Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

The new award has been developed by Prime Minister David Cameron in partnership with the Points of Light programme, which has recognised over 5,000 people. The US programme was established by President George Bush, and both he and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK.

CRIME: Police are appealing for information after birds were stolen from an allotment in Sunderland.

The theft happened when allotments were broken into on Silksworth Avenue, in Plains Farm overnight on Wednesday.

A number of sheds, greenhouses and bird houses were broken into on the plot and cockatiels were taken. Because the adults were taken, newborn chicks that were left behind have subsequently died.

Officers are carrying out inquiries and anyone who has informaton, or may be offered a cockatiel for sale should contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 254 220514 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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